Moisture free pipe stem mouthpiece

ABSTRACT

A pipe stem mouthpiece for a tobacco smoking pipe has means preventing moisture from the smoker&#39;&#39;s mouth from passing down the stem to the pipe. A partition disposed longitudinally of the smoke passage within the pipe stem mouthpiece provides a chamber or pocket opening away from the pipe bowl for collecting moisture without obstructing the &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;draw&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; of smoke through the stem.

United States Patent 1 1 1 11 3,888,263

Blanchard 1 June 10, 1975 15 MOISTURE FREE PIPE STEM 3.308.834 3/1967 131 230 3.3541388 11/1967 Parrigin 131/202 MOUTHPIZCEd W BI h d T R 3,457,927 7/1969 Siragusa 131/201 X 75 1 t a l 1 Oms FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 429 1886 United Kingdom 131/201 [731 Asslgneei gi Blanchard Toms 216.117 10/1924 United Kingdom................. 131/210 22 Filed; J 8, 1973 Primary Examiner-Joseph S. Reich Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Brooks Haidt Haffner & [21] Appl. No.: 368,227 Delahunty 52 US. (:1. 131/201; 131/210 57 ABSTRACT 51 1111. C1. A241 01/06 A pipe Stem mouthpiece for a tobacco smoking pipe 1 Flew of Search 131/201 has means preventing moisture from the smokers 31/230 mouth from passing down the stem to the pipe. A partition disposed longitudinally of the smoke passage [561 References C'ted within the pipe stem mouthpiece provides a chamber UNITED STA PATENTS or pocket opening away from the pipe bowl for c01- 761447 5/1904 Cassidy 131/201 lecting moisture without obstructing the draw" of 948,634 2/1910 Perry 131/210 smoke through the stem. 1.310.404 7/1919 Irving .3 131/203 1,990,429 2/1935 Falldine 131/201 5 Clfllms, 7 Drawmg Flames MOISTURE FREE PIPE STEM M UTHIIECE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to tobacco smoking de vices, and more particularly to prevention of the passage of moisture to a pipe through a pipe stern mouthpiece.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art When a smoking pipe is smoked, moisture from the smokers mouth moves toward the pipe bowl, and this moisture can impart an objectionable taste to the smoke drawn from the pipe by wetting tobacco in the bowl. If the tobacco becomes wet, bitter fluid and wet solids can return to the smokers mouth when he draws on the pipe. Various constructions, often incorporating baffles, filters, convoluted passages and the like have been proposed to trap such moisture traveling either to or from a pipe bowl, but none of these proposed constructions has been completely satisfactory.

Generally speaking, baffles and filters within pipe stems generally restrict the draw" of smoke and convoluted passages not only involve expensive manufacture but also make cleaning difficult.

U.S. Pat. Nos. l,532,05l', 2,086,042 and 3,053,262 are illustrative of prior art attempts to deal with the problem of moisture in smoking pipes. U.S. Pat. No. 1,532,051 to Drapeau relates to a multi-part pipe stem structure including a trap intended to prevent saliva from flowing down the pipe stern. McLellan U.S. Pat. No. 2,086,042 proposed placing a tube and a plug within a pipe stem tip to cause moisture to collect in a trap and drain out through a hole in the mouthpiece. U.S. Pat. No. 3,053,262 to Falk relates to a complicated pipe structure having a second flue" generally parallel to the smoke passage and extending from the lower part of the pipe bowl back through the stem to trap moisture in a well at the bottom of the pipe bowl.

Despite the above mentioned patents and numerous other prior art efforts, no economical, effective and simple pipe stern mouthpiece structure has been provided by the prior art to overcome the disadvantages of moisture travel along a pipe stem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The moisture free pipe stem mouthpiece of the present invention prevents the passage of moisture along a pipe stem by collecting the moisture from a smoker's mouth within the pipe stem before such moisture can pass to the bowl of the pipe. By eliminating the passage of moisture to the tobacco, the objectionable bitter taste, bite and odor ordinarily associated with pipe smoking are avoided. It is also believed that the present invention reduces the tar" content of the smoke.

In a presently preferred form of pipe stern mouthpiece a longitudinal partition extends along the axial smoke passage of the pipe stem mouthpiece, and a pocket is provided under the partition for the collection of moisture produced during smoking. The partition is generally horizontal during normal use ofa pipe incorporating the invention. The pipe stem mouthpiece and partition can be integrally or separately formed, or the partition can be provided by a separate element having a flat head portion formed as a part ofa disc for positioning transversely in the smoke passage and a longitudinal partition portion extending at a right angle from the head. In any case, the end of the partition nearest the pipe bowl cooperates with a downwardly extending wall to provide the moisture collecting pocket.

In the embodiment of the invention in which the partition is provided by a separate element, the head portion of that element acts as the end wall of the pocket. The smoke passage above the partition is substantially unobstructed, permitting free smoke flow for a smooth draw.

Because of the simplicity of construction of the pipe stern mouthpiece of the invention it can be made very inexpensively. Another advantage over the more complicated prior art moisture traps and baffles is that a pipe incorporating the mouthpiece of the invention can be readily cleaned with an oridinary flexible pipe cleaner. No filter is present so there is no problem of removal and replacement of a filter.

Besides use in smoking pipes the mouthpiece of the invention is also suitable for use in cigarette holders, cigar holders or other applications in which smoke can be separated from moisture or impurities.

These and other objects, uses and advantages of the pipe stem mouthpiece of the invention will appear from the following detailed description of the invention, especially when that description is read in conjunction with the accompanying figures of the drawing illustrab ing preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the accompanying drawing, in which like reference characters indicate like parts in the several fig ures:

FIG. I is a view in perspective of a smoking pipe incorporating a moisture-free mouthpiece according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view through the stem ofthe pipe of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a view in section of the pipe stern of FIG. 2 from above along line 3-3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a further sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a view in section ofa pipe employing a modified moisture-free pipe stem mouthpiece according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is an expanded perspective view of a separate partition element shown in position within the pipe stern in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the moisture-free pipe stem mouthpiece according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:

A tobacco smoking pipe generally designated by the reference numeral 10 is illustrated by FIG. 1 of the drawing. The pipe 10 is shown as having the conventional outer form with a vertical tobacco receiving bowl II and a straight, generally tubular tapered stem 12 for the passage of smoke from the bowl II to the smokers mouth, but pipes incorporating the moisture-free mouthpiece of the invention could be of any conventional tobacco pipe shape or size whether straightstemmed or curved. The mouthpiece of the invention can also be readily incorporated in a cigarette holder or cigar holder, and the particular shape illustrated has been shown only as a typical example of a pipe.

It will be seen that the stem 12 of the pipe has one portion 13 formed integrally with the bowl l1 and a mouthpiece section 14 joined to the portion 13 at 15. The mouthpiece 14 terminates in a bit 16 formed with a lip 17 for reception by the smokers lips and teeth. The pipe 10 can be made of wood, metal, synthetic plastic material or any other material or combination of materials of which ordinary pipes have been made or could be made. In the several figures of the drawing certain parts are hatched to indicate synthetic resinous material for purposes of illustration of an inexpensive pipe incorporating the moisture-free mouthpiece of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it will be seen that a pocket 20 is formed within the pipe stem 12 by a longitudinal partition 21 extending along inside a substantial part, but not all, of the length of the mouthpiece 14. At the end of the partition 21 nearest the pipe bowl, a vertical closure wall 22, shown in FIG. 4 to be formed as a halfdisc, extends from the partition 21 to the boundary wall of the smoke passage 23 which passes through the mouthpiece 14. The length of the partition is greater than the maximum transverse dimension of the internal passage 23. The smoke passage 23 can be circular, oval or of some other rounded shape in cross-section. The wall 22, as shown in FIG. 4, divides the passage width substantially in half, leaving open a generally halfcylindrical space 24 above the partition 21 through which smoke can pass freely without any obstruction from the pipe bowl to and through an open colinear passage or duct portion 26 extending through the bit 16. The upper and lower boundary walls of the duct portion 26 are indicated by reference numerals 26a and 26b, respectively. The passages 28, 27, 23 and 26 are colinear. Any moisture from the smoker's mouth that flows through the passage 26 will tend, because of its weight, to separate from the air and smoke and collect beneath the partition 21. The wall 22 prevents the col lected moisture from traveling any further towards the pipe bowl 11 than the pocket 20. Since no moisture reaches the tobacco in the pipe bowl 11 there can be no dampening of the tobacco, and smoke passing over the partition 21 is dry. Some of the so-called tar in the smoke will also be precipitated, so the smoke reaching the smokers mouth is cleaner and freer of impurities than that from an ordinary pipe.

The manner in which the several parts of the pipe 10 interfit with each other can, of course, be varied according to the materials used, method of manufacture and other factors, but FIGS. 24 show a currently preferred embodiment of the invention in a pipe which can readily be disassembled for cleaningv In the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, an internal tubular sleeve 27 attached within the passage 23 of the part 14 joins the parts 13 and 14 of the pipe stem 12, one end of the sleeve 27 being removably received in a widened portion 280 of the central passage 28 through the stem portion 13 so the wall of the passage 28 is smooth and uninterrupted. The sleeve 27 forms a duct portion of the mouthpiece passage 23 at its upstream end, the upper and lower boundary walls of which are respec tively designated 27a and 27b. At the position of the wall 22 there is a restriction of the space through which smoke can flow, which restriction constitutes a pres sure point that enhances precipitation of moisture, im-

purities and tar. Smoke travels through only the upper half 24 of the passage 23, but the path of flow from the pipe bowl is not so sharply restricted at the wall 22 as to impede the flow of smoke or to make it difficult for a smoker to draw smoke through the pipe stem and mouthpiece. Whether the internal passage through the pipe is circular, or oval or of some other shape, it is believed that the smallest dimension of the passage 24 should not be smaller than one-sixteenth inch.

The bit 16 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to have a portion 29 which is fitted into one end of the passage 23, the portion 29 terminating at the end of the partition 21 which is farthest from the wall 22. The passage 26 through the bit 16 is ofa smaller diameter than the passage 23, but its whole area is open for the flow of smoke, while only about half of the area of the passage 23 is open for smoke flow to the smoker. Accordingly, there is no severe restriction of the pipe draw at the bit 16.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the partition 21 to be of a somewhat greater width than the diameter of the passage 23. Side edge portions 25 of the partition 2] are seated in longitudinal grooves formed in the wall of the passage 23 in FIG. 3, the mouthpiece being conveniently formed from two half-tubular pieces, one of which has a stepped contour providing the grooves for the side edges 25. The mouthpiece 14 could, of course, be of unitary construction with appropriate grooves cut into its inner wall for sliding insertion of the partition 21.

FIGS, 5 and 6 show a modified embodiment of the invention, wherein a pocket 30 (similar in its disposition within the pipe mouthpiece and in function to the pocket 20 described in connection with FIGS. 1-4) is provided by a precipitator element 31, shown in perspective in FIG. 6.

The pipe 10 of FIG. 5 has a bowl 11' and a stem 12' comprising a stem portion 13' formed integrally with the bowl 1]. In the embodiment of FIG. 5 the mouth piece and bit are provided by a unitary, tapered, generally tubular element 32, threadedly secured to the stem portion 13' by mating screw threads shown at 33. The precipitator element 31 has an elongated, generally rectangular partition portion 34 which serves to divide a smoke passage 37 and, perpendicular to the portion 34, a head formed as an incomplete planar disc with a substantially rectangular opening 36. The shape of the head of the precipitator is shown as bounded by an incomplete circle, but it could be of an oval, semicircular or other shape. The preferred embodiment of the precipitator 31 shown is of an easily manufactured configuration. Thus, if the precipitator 31 is made of metal or other material which can be formed by stamping and bending, the element 31 can be formed flat and the partition or leg portion 34 then struck out and bent back from the head 35, leaving the opening 36 extending substantially to the center of the disc and having width equal to that of the portion 34 between its parallel sides 34a, 34b. It should be understood that the precipitator element 31 can be made of metal such as steel or aluminum, or of a plastic material such as polytetrafluoroethylene. The precipitator 31 should be formed of material that does not rust or corrode or otherwise deteriorate upon exposure to moisture and heat. These requirements should, of course. be met by the other elements of the mouthpieces of this and the other illustrated embodiments of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the head 35 of the precipitator 31 is fitted adjacent the threaded joint between the stem portion 13' and the mouthpiece 32 with the portion 34 extending back away from the bowl end of the pipe and colinear with the common longitudinal axis of the smoke passages 13a, 37 and 38. The partition portion 34 is wide enough to fit snugly within the smoke passage 36 provided in the mouthpiece 32, dividing the area of that passage 37 into an upper generally halfcylindrical open space for passage of smoke over the partition portion 34 and a lower space forming the pocket 30 under the portion 34. The head portion 35 is larger in diameter than the smoke passage 37. As shown, the stem portion 13' carries external threads and the mouthpiece 32 has internal threads at 33, so the head 35 of the precipitator 31 fits neatly to the rear of the threaded part of the stem portion 13' just behind the internal threads of the mouthpiece 32. The precipitator 31 can be removably fitted if desired, or fixed permanently within the mouthpiece 32. FIG. 5 also shows the passage 32 narrowing to a smaller diameter to continue as a narrow passage at 38.

Another embodiment of a mouthpiece according to the invention is shown in FIG. 7, the mouthpiece of that embodiment being of unitary construction, which can be suitably formed of heat resistant plastic material that can be molded. in the embodiment of FIG. 7, the mouthpiece generally indicated by the reference numeral 39 has an internal pocket 40 for collecting moisture in the same manner as the pockets and 30 of the embodiments previously described. The pocket 40 of the mouthpiece 39 is formed by a partition 41 extending across the width of a tapered smoke passage 42 through the mouthpiece. As shown in the drawing, the partition 41 extends along a substantial portion, but not all, of the length of the smoke passage 42. As in the other embodiments, the passage 42 could be circular, oval, or of some other rounded shape in cross-section, and has a bit end duct portion 420 whose upper and lower boundary walls are designated 42b, 42c, respectively.

Just as in the other embodiments of the invention, moisture from the smoker's mouth will tend to pass along the lower part of the smoke passage 42 to be collected in the pocket 40 so the moisture cannot reach the pipe bowl. There is a transverse wall 43 closing the pocket 40 at the end of the pocket nearest the pipe bowl (which bowl is not shown in FIG. 7). For connection of the mouthpiece 39 to a stem portion on a pipe bowl, the mouthpiece is shown formed with a narrowed, generally tubular extension 44 adapted to be received within a mating recess in a pipe stem section to which the mouthpiece 39 is to be attached. As shown, the internal smoke passage is narrowed at 45 not only because of the smaller diameter of the extension 44, but also because the extension 44 is thickened to the form of a smooth, unbroken forward extension of the portion 41. The narrowed passage 45 acts as the precipitation-enhancing pressure point for causing impurities such as tar to precipitate from the smoke. The passage at 45 has a generally half-cylindrical shape, similar in shape, but smaller in diameter than, the tapered, generally half-cylindrical space above the partition 41.

Generally, all of the embodiments of the invention described have a longitudinally extending partition and a downwardly directed wall forming a pocket for collection of moisture in the lower part of the pipe stern mouthpiece. The upper surface of the partition at both of its ends is disposed below the upper boundary wall, or projection of the upper boundary wall, of the adjacent smoke passage duct portion, and the free end of the partition is disposed above the upstream projection of the bit end duct portion, all as shown in any of FIGS. 2, 5 or 7. The several embodiments are also similar in that there is a point or area at which the passage for the flow of smoke is narrowed. It is believed that this narrowed part of the passage functions as a precipitation means, causing moisture and impurities to separate from the gases flowing through the mouthpiece. The moisture collects in the pocket, and may be again evaporated during the course of the smoke, and tar and other solids settle on the partition and on the inner wall of the passage through the mouthpiece. Despite the narrowed passage, there is no substantial interference with the draw of smoke through the pipe.

in order to achieve good results, it has been found that at its narrowest point, the smoke passage should be at least one-sixteenth of an inch wide. This minimum dimension permits easy passage of smoke, and is also large enough to allow use of an ordinary flexible pipe cleaner to clean the passage. The partition in each embodiment is preferably of a length substantially greater than its own width. Suitably the partition can be about 1 inch long, and preferably the length of the partition is about 1 /2 inches.

Various obvious modifications, substitutions and applications of the moisture-free pipe stem mouthpiece of the invention will suggest themselves to those familiar with the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A mouthpiece for a tobacco smoking pipe or the like adapted to be used in a generally horizontal position and comprising a generally tubular stem portion having a bit end from which the smoke is drawn, and an opposite end, said tubular stem portion defining a longitudinal passage for smoke from said opposite end to said bit end thereof, a partition arranged longitudinally in said passage and spanning thereacross to divide said passage substantially into upper and lower halves, said partition being generally horizontally oriented in normal use of the mouthpiece, a wall extending downwardly from said partition and into circumscribing contact with that portion of the wall of said passage which is below said partition to close said lower half of said passage thereat and form a pocket beneath said partition, said pocket having an opening at the downstream end thereof, the upper half of said passage being substantially straight and unobstructed between said bit end and said opposite end of said stem portion, and means providing longitudinal grooves within said tubular stem portion adapted to receive opposite edge por tions of said partition.

2. A mouthpiece for a tobacco smoking pipe or the like comprising a generally tubular stem portion having a bit end from which the smoke is drawn, and an upstream end, said tubular stem portion defining a passage for passing smoke from said upstream end to said bit end thereof including means providing a duct portion of said passage leading to said bit end of the mouthpiece, said bit end duct portion having upper and lower boundary walls, a planar partition spanning said passage and located along the longitudinal axis thereof and extending from said upstream end of the mouthpiece to a location spaced from said bit end of the mouthpiece, the downstream end of said partition being located below said upper boundary wall and above said lower boundary wall of said bit end duct portion of said passage, and means defining a vertical closure wall below said partition substantially at said upstream end of the mouthpiece, said partition dividing said portion of the length of said passage into substantially upper and lower halves to provide a pocket beneath said partition which is open to said bit end duct portion of the mouthpiece passage 3. The mouthpiece of claim 2 wherein said partition and said means defining a closure wall are formed as a one-piece precipitator element, said means defining a closure wall being a generally circular planar disc, and said partition being a leg portion struck out from said disc and having parallel sides extending perpendicularly to the plane of the disc substantially from the center thereof and having a length materially greater than the diameter of the circular disc, thereby providing a notch in said disc whose width is equal to the width of the leg portion.

4. A prccipitator for use in a tobacco smoking pipe or the like. comprising a generally circular planar disc having a leg portion struck out therefrom. the leg portion having parallel sides extending perpendicularly to the plane of the disc substantially from the center thereof and having a length materially greater than the diameter of the circular disc, thereby providing a notch in said disc whose width is equal to the width of the leg portion,

5. A tobacco smoking pipe comprising a vertical pipe bowl having a pipe bowl stem extending horizontally therefrom, a mouthpiece separably attached to said bowl stem and having a bit end from which smoke is drawn and an opposite upstream end, means providing colinear smoke passages through said bowl stem and said mouthpiece including respective duct portions defined by upper and lower boundary walls of said passages respectively at said bit end and said upstream end of said mouthpiece, an inperforate planar partition substantially colinear with the longitudinal axis of said colinear smoke passages and spanning the width of the mouthpiece passage to divide the passage into substantially upper and lower halves, the upper surface of said partition at its upstream end being below said upper boundary wall of said duct portion at the upstream end of said passages, and the downstream end of said partition being spaced from said bit end of the mouthpiece and located below said upper boundary wall and above said lower boundary wall of said duct portion at said bit end of the mouthpiece, and means defining a vertical closure wall below said partition substantially at said upstream end of the mouthpiece, said closure wall and said partition providing a pocket beneath said partition which is open to said bit end duct portion of the mouthpiece passage. 

1. A mouthpiece for a tobacco smoking pipe or the like adapted to be used in a generally horizontal position and comprising a generally tubulAr stem portion having a bit end from which the smoke is drawn, and an opposite end, said tubular stem portion defining a longitudinal passage for smoke from said opposite end to said bit end thereof, a partition arranged longitudinally in said passage and spanning thereacross to divide said passage substantially into upper and lower halves, said partition being generally horizontally oriented in normal use of the mouthpiece, a wall extending downwardly from said partition and into circumscribing contact with that portion of the wall of said passage which is below said partition to close said lower half of said passage thereat and form a pocket beneath said partition, said pocket having an opening at the downstream end thereof, the upper half of said passage being substantially straight and unobstructed between said bit end and said opposite end of said stem portion, and means providing longitudinal grooves within said tubular stem portion adapted to receive opposite edge portions of said partition.
 2. A mouthpiece for a tobacco smoking pipe or the like comprising a generally tubular stem portion having a bit end from which the smoke is drawn, and an upstream end, said tubular stem portion defining a passage for passing smoke from said upstream end to said bit end thereof including means providing a duct portion of said passage leading to said bit end of the mouthpiece, said bit end duct portion having upper and lower boundary walls, a planar partition spanning said passage and located along the longitudinal axis thereof and extending from said upstream end of the mouthpiece to a location spaced from said bit end of the mouthpiece, the downstream end of said partition being located below said upper boundary wall and above said lower boundary wall of said bit end duct portion of said passage, and means defining a vertical closure wall below said partition substantially at said upstream end of the mouthpiece, said partition dividing said portion of the length of said passage into substantially upper and lower halves to provide a pocket beneath said partition which is open to said bit end duct portion of the mouthpiece passage.
 3. The mouthpiece of claim 2 wherein said partition and said means defining a closure wall are formed as a one-piece precipitator element, said means defining a closure wall being a generally circular planar disc, and said partition being a leg portion struck out from said disc and having parallel sides extending perpendicularly to the plane of the disc substantially from the center thereof and having a length materially greater than the diameter of the circular disc, thereby providing a notch in said disc whose width is equal to the width of the leg portion.
 4. A precipitator for use in a tobacco smoking pipe or the like, comprising a generally circular planar disc having a leg portion struck out therefrom, the leg portion having parallel sides extending perpendicularly to the plane of the disc substantially from the center thereof and having a length materially greater than the diameter of the circular disc, thereby providing a notch in said disc whose width is equal to the width of the leg portion.
 5. A tobacco smoking pipe comprising a vertical pipe bowl having a pipe bowl stem extending horizontally therefrom, a mouthpiece separably attached to said bowl stem and having a bit end from which smoke is drawn and an opposite upstream end, means providing colinear smoke passages through said bowl stem and said mouthpiece including respective duct portions defined by upper and lower boundary walls of said passages respectively at said bit end and said upstream end of said mouthpiece, an inperforate planar partition substantially colinear with the longitudinal axis of said colinear smoke passages and spanning the width of the mouthpiece passage to divide the passage into substantially upper and lower halves, the upper surface of said partition at its upstream end being below said upper boundary wall of said duct portion at the upstream end of sAid passages, and the downstream end of said partition being spaced from said bit end of the mouthpiece and located below said upper boundary wall and above said lower boundary wall of said duct portion at said bit end of the mouthpiece, and means defining a vertical closure wall below said partition substantially at said upstream end of the mouthpiece, said closure wall and said partition providing a pocket beneath said partition which is open to said bit end duct portion of the mouthpiece passage. 